CVE-2026-96947

7.8High

Published 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Analyzed · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash

7.8High

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Impact: Full C/I/A compromise
Weakness: CWE-416

Impact

A local attacker with an existing account can escalate privileges to SYSTEM. They need valid credentials to execute code locally on the affected Windows machine.

Root cause

A use-after-free flaw in the Windows Universal Disk Format File System (UDFS) driver leaves dangling pointers accessible during file system operations.

Affected systems

Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.

CVSS v3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Fix & remediation

Install the security patch from Microsoft MSRC advisory CVE-2026-96947; as an interim workaround, prevent unprivileged users from mounting external media or untrusted UDF images if patching must wait.

AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?

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NVD description

Use after free in Windows Universal Disk Format File System Driver (UDFS) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96947PatchVendor Advisory

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96947